Rewind 2024: Korea’s top 10 business stories Published: 24 Dec. 2024, 06:00 PARK EUN-JEE [email protected] Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI A television at a train station in Seoul broadcasts footage of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as he speaks during an election night event on Nov. 6. [AFP/YONHAP] 1. Trump 2.0 ignites fears in Korea over tariffs, currency woes Donald Trump’s landslide election victory in November raised alarms for the Korean economy, as the president-elect’s bold tariff proposals and policy shifts fueled uncertainties for the export-drive nation. The prospect of the incoming second Trump term, which is expected to implement an expansionary fiscal policy, also further strengthened the dollar, pushing the won’s value down. Related Article Rewind 2024: Korea’s top 10 news stories Trump's campaign has proposed a universal base tariff of at least 10 percent on all imports, a policy expected to hit Korea's export-reliant economy hard. The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy estimated that a 10 percent tariff would knock the country's shipments to the United States down by $15.2 billion per year and those to other countries by $7 to $8.9 billion. EV battery stocks were among the hardest hit, as shown in a post-election drop in their share prices, as Trump has repeatedly maintained critical views of EVs and indicated plans to repeal the outgoing Joe Biden administration's expanded manufacturing subsidies. Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun hosts a joint meeting on the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act with the private sector at JW Marriott Seoul. [YONHAP] As concerns have been growing for Korean chipmakers as well, especially with the president-elect’s cabinet nominees hinting at overhauling Biden’s CHIPS Act policy that promised a substantial amount of incentives for investments made on U.S. soil, the Commerce Department has been speeding up the process to finalize their funding deals with companies ahead of Trump's inauguration. SK hynix has been awarded up to $458 million in subsidies for its $3.9 billion chip packaging facility in Indiana on Dec. 19, while Samsung Electronics, which was initially promised up to $6.4 billion, secured direct funding of up to $4.75 billion , as the chipmaker scaled back its investment plans from $45 billion to $37 billion. 2. Exchange rate blows past 1,400 won to the dollar with turbulent end of year An exchange rate of 1,400 won per dollar, once a significant threshold, has become less of an outlier in 2024 as the continued strengthening of the greenback coupled with Korea's political and economic uncertainties sent the local currency plunging to a 15-year low. On Dec. 19, the won tumbled to its weakest point since March 2009 to breach the 1,450 per dollar mark, as the U.S. central bank hinted at a hawkish shift with fewer rate cuts next year. A screen in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul shows the Kospi opening and the won trading above 1,450 to the dollar on Dec. 19. [YONHAP] The won's already-sharp weakening trend has accelerated, trading at a two-year low since November, weighed down by U.S. policy shifts, President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration and the country’s waning growth momentum. A won-dollar exchange rate of 1,400 has been widely considered a theoretical threshold to warrant government intervention. Before 2024, the rate had surpassed the mark only during three major financial crises: the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the 2008 global financial crisis and 2022 post-pandemic monetary tightening. While authorities have offered assurances that the country's foreign exchange situation does not constitute a crisis, the consistently high won-dollar rate may stimulate inflation and slow down the pace of rate cuts in the upcoming year for the Bank of Korea (BOK). The central bank kicked off its monetary easing cycle on Oct. 11 with a 25-basis-point reduction to 3.25 percent, its first key rate cut since May 2020, as the country’s headline inflation moderated to below the 2 percent threshold. Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong bangs the gavel at the central bank in central Seoul on Nov. 28. [JOINT PRESS CORPS] The decision followed the U.S. Federal Reserve’s 0.5 percentage point reduction to a range of 4.75 to 5 percent in September, its first easing since 2020. The Fed implemented two additional 25-basis-point rate cuts on Nov. 7 and Dec. 18, to a final range of 4.25 to 4.5 percent for the year. During the same period, the BOK reduced its benchmark rate by an additional 25 basis points to 3 percent in its final rate-setting meeting on Nov. 28, which defied market expectations as the high won-dollar rate has been considered a major risk factor. The BOK, however, prioritized boosting Korea’s weakening growth momentum, as the country faces a harsher trade environment with the incoming U.S. administration’s protectionist policy proposals and an export growth slowdown. 3. Samsung suffers tumultuous year with HBM, labor missteps Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun makes a celebratory speech at the Giheung campus in Gyeonggi on Nov. 18. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS] Samsung Electronics faced a grueling year in 2024 as it grappled with a prolonged slump in its semiconductor business , prompting its leadership to issue an unprecedented public apology. Adding to its woes, the company confronted a historic labor dispute with its unionized workforce, fueling concerns over a potential existential crisis for a corporation that claimed market capitalization of 16.1 percent in the country’s main bourse as of Dec.18. The year initially showed promise, with its chip division rebounding to profitability in the first quarter after record losses the previous year due to a global chip glut. However, momentum faltered quickly as the year progressed. By the third quarter, earnings had missed estimates, prompting Samsung’s semiconductor chief Jun Young-hyun to issue the first public apology regarding the earnings in the company’s history. Jun acknowledged failures in maintaining a competitive technological edge. While the apology merely contained vague terms, it was clear that the core issue stemmed from Samsung’s shortcomings in high bandwidth memory (HBM) technology — critical for AI chips. Crosstown rival SK hynix continued to secure Nvidia’s approval for successive HBM generations, leaving Samsung struggling to keep pace. Meanwhile, labor unrest escalated as unionized workers staged the first strike in the company’s history over stalled wage negotiations. That talks remain unresolved. Investor frustration was evident as Samsung’s share price sank to the 40,000 won ($28) level in November. In response, the company announced a 10 trillion won share buyback program to restore market confidence. 4. Mercedes-Benz EQE fire damages 880 cars, disrupts 1,600 households Korea’s fear of EV fire reached its peak in 2024 after a Mercedes-Benz EV burst into flames in an underground parking lot in an apartment complex in Incheon in August. The Mercedes EQE sedan exploded on Aug. 1 and damaged as many as 880 nearby cars, including 87 that burned entirely in the parking lot. The incident cut electricity and water supply to some 1,600 households in the apartment complex at the time, with 400 of them having suffered for more than four months now. A Mercedes-Benz executive examines a burned Mercedes EQE sedan in Incheon on Aug. 8. The Mercedes EQE EV explosion damaged as many as 880 vehicles parked in the garage. [NEWS1] A total of 139,067 EVs were sold in Korea through the end of November, according to market tracker CarIsYou, down 7.2 percent compared to same period a year earlier. The exact cause has not been declared, according to the police, as the battery management system in the vehicle that monitors the conditions of the car was destroyed. The Mercedes EV explosion spread anger and fear regarding EV fires after it turned out that the EQE was equipped with batteries made by Chinese company Farasis Energy. Some Mercedes owners launched lawsuits against the German carmaker claiming they'd been deceived by the company after a Mercedes executive said the vehicle would include batteries from Contemporary Amperex Technology, the world’s largest EV battery maker, in an interview. 5. Korean Air completes acquisition of Asiana Airlines Asiana Airlines and Korean Air planes at Incheon International Airport on Nov. 29 [YONHAP] Korean Air finalized the acquisition of Asiana Airlines, bringing the country’s two largest full-service carriers a step closer to initiating a merger to give birth to a top 10 global mega carrier. The country’s flagship airline acquired 63.9 percent of Asiana Airlines on Dec. 12 after obtaining approvals from regulators in all 14 mandatory reporting bodies, including the European Union and the United States. To fulfill merger conditions regarding monopoly concerns, Korean Air divested four European routes — to Paris; Rome; Barcelona, Spain; and Frankfurt — to budget carrier T’way Air and sold off Asiana’s cargo business to Air Incheon. Korean Air will maintain Asiana as a subsidiary airline for two years and finalize the merger process by 2026. The merger could place Korean Air among the 10 biggest airlines in the world, ahead of Japan Airlines. The new integrated airline will own a total of 238 aircraft, of which 203 are passenger planes, with some 27,500 employees including 9,000 flight attendants. The amalgamated carrier will have 186 operational routes with Korean Air’s 114 and Asiana’s 72. The merger will also lead to a merger of three budget carriers: Korean Air-owned Jin Air, and Asiana’s Air Seoul and Air Busan. 6. Korean consortium wins bid for $17 billion Czech nuclear reactor project A view of the new Dukovany nuclear power plant site in the Czech Republic [KHNP] A Korean consortium was selected in July as the preferred bidder for a $17 billion nuclear reactor project in Czech Republic, paving the way for winning the country’s largest nuclear power export deal in history. The selection was critical for Korea as a litmus test to gauge the European nation’s perception of the country as a supplier of nuclear reactors, since the sensitive nature of the facility could convince buyers to favor EU providers. A consortium led by the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) competed with EDF, France’s state-run electricity corporation, and previously with Westinghouse Electric of the United States. The Korean and Czech governments aim to finalize the deal by March 2025, but some media outlets have speculated that ongoing domestic political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived martial law declaration could hamper the procedure. Both the Seoul and Prague have stated that the process is going as planned. 7. Korean food exports projected to hit $10 billion in 2024 with ramyeon, gimbap surging The global hype for Korean food has yet to fizzle out. Food exports are set to record a yearly high in 2024 on the back of continued strong demand for ramyeon, rice products and snacks. Clockwise from left: ramyeon, chocolate biscuit snacks and frozen gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) [NEWS1, YONHAP] Korea’s food exports hit a fresh high of $9.05 billion through November, up 8.1 percent from the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The amount is nearing the government’s annual year target of $10 billion. Processed goods led the way. Sales of the top export, instant noodles, rose 30 percent on year to $1.13 billion in the January to November period. Major ramyeon manufacturers laid the groundwork for new production lines and overseas offices over the year in anticipation of even more demand in 2025. Samyang Foods had a smashing year with its Buldak Ramen products and is gunning to even further expand its global reach through its first overseas factory in China as well as new plants in Korea. Shin Ramyun maker Nongshim invested in an export-only plant in Busan and is set to establish a sales unit in Europe next year. Rice products like frozen gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), instant steamed rice and tteokkbokki (spicy rice cakes) also continued to rise thanks to demand in major markets like the United States and China. Snacks and beverage exports also rose by more than 10 percent on year through November. The United States imported $1.4 billion worth of Korean food, up 20 percent on year, during the 11-month period. Sales growth is expected to increase through the end of the year as Korean products hit the shelves of major retailers. China-bound exports increased 7 percent to $1.38 billion. The increase in exports, however, had some downsides for domestic customers. Gim (dried seaweed) prices jumped as demand grew overseas, due to its popularity as both a snack and a gimbap ingredient. 8. AliExpress grows in Korea as TMON, WeMakePrice melt down Chinese e-commerce platforms AliExpress and Temu cemented their strong presence in the Korean market through cheap prices backed by aggressive investments — despite never-ending concerns about their products’ quality and safety. AliExpress became the second most-used shopping app in Korea in the January-October period with 8.48 million average monthly active users according to data from market tracker WiseApp, Retail, Goods. While the number is overshadowed by that of Coupang, which has 31.17 million average monthly users, AliExpress experienced on-year growth of 68 percent while Temu, currently sitting in fourth, grew 179 percent on year and reported 7.21 million average monthly active users. AliExpress announced March that it planned to invest $1.1 billion in Korea in the next three years, including the construction of a $200 million distribution center in the country. Actors Tang Wei, left, and Don Lee serve as ambassadors of AliExpress Korea. [SCREEN CAPTURE] But not all has been smooth sailing. The Korean government banned the import of 1,900 or so products from China in May after claiming to have found toxic materials in certain items such as toys and camping equipment. E-commerce platforms TMON, WeMakePrice and their parent company Qoo10, along with merchants that were operating on the platforms, suffered greatly. The platforms had fallen behind on payments owed to merchants operating on their sites, which were allegedly used in embezzlement, including funding for Qoo10's acquisition of the U.S. shopping platform Wish earlier this year. The three platforms currently owe an estimated 1.85 trillion won ($1.27 billion) and their executives were indicted without detention on Dec. 11. 9. SK Group chairman faces historic divorce settlement SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, left, and his estranged wife Roh Soh-yeong attend an appeals trial at the Seoul High Court on April 16. [YONHAP] SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won’s high-profile divorce case with estranged wife Roh Soh-yeong took an unexpected turn this year when the Seoul High Court significantly increased the property division settlement in Roh’s favor. In May, the court ordered Chey to pay 1.38 trillion won ($960 million) to Roh, marking the most expensive divorce settlement in Korean history and a staggering 20-fold increase from the initial 66.5 billion won determined in the first trial. The higher court sided with Roh’s argument that her late father, President Roh Tae-woo, had played a substantial role in SK Group’s growth, rendering Chey’s SK shares subject to property division. The court assessed the couple’s combined assets at 4 trillion won, awarding Roh 35 percent. Chey promptly appealed , citing "critical errors" in the court’s assessment of Roh’s contributions to the conglomerate’s success. He argued that the court overstated her influence, claiming that much of the company's success is owed to his father and late SK Chairman Chey Jong-hyun. Although the Seoul High Court acknowledged minor calculation errors , it upheld the settlement amount. In November, the Supreme Court accepted Chey’s appeal in another surprise move, deciding to re-examine the case. Should the Supreme Court fully support Chey’s claims, the amount of wealth subject to division could drop to 2 trillion won. 10. Naver-Line leak sparks clash between Korea and Japan Cybersecurity concerns surrounding Line Yahoo (LY), the Tokyo-based operator of the popular messenger Line, spawned a national dispute between Japan and Korea, as the Japanese government pressured Korea’s leading portal, Naver, to cut ties with LY. The issue stemmed from an incident in October 2023 where 510,000 items of private information belonging to Line users were leaked through Naver Cloud, the operator’s subcontractor. In turn, Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in April ordered LY to develop measures to prevent such occurrences. What aroused concern in Korea was that the ministry also requested LY to review its capital relationship with Naver. LY is 64.5 percent owned by A Holdings, a 50:50 joint venture between Naver and SoftBank. Although Naver retains management rights, relinquishing even a single share would transfer those rights to Japan’s SoftBank, deterring the Korean company’s plans for overseas expansion. As SoftBank and Naver floated the possibility of the latter’s equity divestment in LY, seemingly giving in to Tokyo’s duress, the Korean government belatedly chimed in to oppose the matter. Naver’s entire stake valuation was estimated to be 10 trillion won ($6.8 billion). Following three months of intense negotiations among the involved parties, the tension eased when Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon stated during the parliamentary audit on July 2 that the company would not be divesting its equity “in the short term.” BY JIN EUN-SOO, LEE JAE-LIM, SARAH CHEA, SHIN HA-NEE, CHO YONG-JUN, KIM JU-YEON, PARK EUN-JEE [ [email protected] ] var admarutag = admarutag || {} admarutag.cmd = admarutag.cmd || [] admarutag.cmd.push(function () { admarutag.pageview('3bf9fc17-6e70-4776-9d65-ca3bb0c17cb7'); });The six-week campaign matched employee donations and volunteer efforts to the American Red Cross in support of the company's core value of passionately serving local communities MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acentra Health , a technology and health solutions and services company dedicated to accelerating better outcomes for its government and commercial healthcare clients and the populations they serve, announced the company and its employees raised $31,000 in contributions to support relief efforts in the southeastern United States following the devastation from hurricanes Helene and Milton. More than half of the total funds raised during the corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaign were provided as a company match to support the American Red Cross' hurricane response. "As Americans gather to give thanks and celebrate this holiday season, we know that many others are still struggling to rebuild from the devastating loss of back-to-back hurricanes,” said CEO Todd Stottlemyer. "When the storms hit, Acentra Health employees embraced the opportunity to help our neighbors in need through donations of cash, food, and essential items, as well as hands-on volunteer work. I am thankful to work alongside so many who live out our company's core value of passionately serving our communities.” The company's Acentra Health Cares program invited employees to support the hurricane relief campaign in two meaningful ways, either by donating to a hurricane relief cause of their choosing or by volunteering with organizations that align with the company's core value of passionately serving local communities. Employees were also encouraged to use their Acentra Health volunteer time off benefit, which provides up to eight hours of annual paid leave for volunteering. In response, Acentra Health matched employee donations and donated a set dollar amount for each volunteer activity, further amplifying the positive impact on affected communities. At the campaign's close on November 15, 2024, Acentra Health employees supported more than 20 organizations providing direct hurricane relief in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, all also states where Acentra Health employees live and work. Employees also logged 176 hours of volunteer work, consisting of hurricane clean-up, sorting supplies, and loading delivery trucks. Acentra Health matched employee contributions in a lump sum to the American Red Cross, for a campaign grand total of $31,000. Acentra Health Cares provides corporate social responsibility opportunities for employees to live the company's core value of passionately serving its clients, communities, and colleagues through philanthropy and volunteering. The program focuses on making a positive impact on the social determinants of health affecting the individuals and communities where our employees live and work. About Acentra Health Acentra Health combines public sector knowledge, clinical expertise, and technological ingenuity to modernize the healthcare experience for its state, federal, and commercial partners, and the populations they serve. From designing and developing advanced claims, encounter, and provider solutions that drive efficiency and cost savings to delivering clinically focused service models for care management, clinical assessments, and quality oversight, Acentra Health is accelerating better health outcomes. Acentra Health is backed by Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG), a global investment firm. Learn more at acentra.com . Media Contact : Janice Moore Vice President, Corporate Communications 703-214-3552

Expelled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s whereabouts have been revealed after fleeing Syria. Assad, along with his family, have arrived in Moscow on Sunday and granted asylum, according to the TASS news agency, which received the information from a Kremlin source. “Assad and his family members have arrived in Moscow. Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum,” the source said. In Syria, celebrations are taking place after rebels captured the capital of Damascus, triggering the collapse of Assad’s government and the end of his 24-year reign. Assad left with his wife and two children, their location remaining unknown until now. “At long last, the Assad regime has fallen. This regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice,” U.S. President Joe Biden said after the overtaking. “It’s a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. It’s also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next.” A popular LA radio host has died at 44 years old, loved ones said. Robin Ayers, a personality on KBLA 1580 Talk, died on Thursday, according to fellow broadcaster Tavis Smiley .Her cause of death has not been released. “Robin was a bright light. You could see her radiant smile through the radio. We all respected her immense talent, loved her jovial spirit, celebrated her love of family, and honored her faith in God," Smiley wrote on X. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Robin’s entire family, most especially her husband Rob and her twin daughters Brooklyn and Madison.” On Friday, KBLA Talk 150 opened up phone lines and listeners could call in and talk about Ayers and their memories of the star, who was also an entertainment reporter. Prior to being a host for “The RA Report with Robin Ayers,” she was a stylist in Hollywood for 15 years. Her last Instagram post showed Ayers spending time with her family in New York City, where they celebrated Thanksgiving and her twin daughters' 18th birthday. If you’re trying to pick up gifts for the loved ones on your list, here’s a tip: everyone appreciates the gift of softer and more manageable hair and skin. 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New York Police Department detectives arrived in Atlanta on Saturday as the search for the UnitedHealthcare assassin continues. Officers traveled to the Georgia city after receiving a large number of tips linked to the yet-to-be unidentified suspect wanted in the murder of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, ABC News reported . The Atlanta Police Department confirmed the arrival of NYPD officers, but reportedly declined to provide additional details. The suspected shooter allegedly arrived in New York on Nov. 24 on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta . On Dec. 4, the masked gunman shot Thompson at point-blank range outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where the insurance executive’s company was holding an investors conference. After the shooting, police say that the suspected gunman boarded a bus out of New York City. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the murder as “brazen” and “targeted.” And, while the suspect remains at large, authorities released new images of the suspected shooter on Saturday and investigators are said to have followed leads in multiple states. 🚨UPDATE: Below are photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide on Dec. 4. The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the public's help—if you have any information about this case, call the... https://t.co/U4wlUquumf pic.twitter.com/243V0tBZOr Mariah Carey shut down rumors that her new Christmas video was generated by artificial intelligence, claiming bad lighting and red lipstick were to blame for the odd visuals. Carey, who filmed a Christmas-themed video thanking her fans, had commenters questioning if the video was actually real with one user writing, “that is AI for sure!!” Another chimed in, “Definitely AI. It’s always something off with the eyes.” The clip, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of her album, “Merry Christmas,” was made for Spotify Wrapped, and shown to users who counted Carey as one of their most-listened artists. Carey responded to the backlash from the video, saying it was the red lipstick and lighting throwing viewers off. “Bad lighting and a red lip have you all thinking this is AI?? There’s a reason I’m not a fan of either of those things,” she wrote on X. One fan responded, “It must be hard being so gorgeous that nobody believes you’re real.” . @MariahCarey with an exclusive message for her top fans on Spotify Wrapped. pic.twitter.com/ODo5DHW5ih Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. As any true audiophile already knows, Amazon Music Unlimited has long been a reliable destination for an elevated listening experience. With millions of high-quality songs and an unparalleled collection of top ad-free podcasts, the platform’s catalog is curated to capture both your attention and your imagination. Now, Amazon is raising the bar with an exciting update: Audible is officially joining Amazon Music Unlimited, cementing the brand’s status as an all-in-one audio hub . Audible’s industry-leading catalog of audiobooks features an expansive selection of can’t-miss bestsellers, hot-off-the-press exclusives, and timeless classics to immerse yourself in. As an Amazon Music Unlimited subscriber, you’ll be free to select one book each month (of any length) and listen to it directly in the Amazon Music app . Whether you’re a fiction buff ready to dive into a thrilling new adventure or a non-fiction enthusiast looking to expand your horizons, Audible’s expansive collection is sure to have the right title that matches your tastes. 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The owner, Edith Stone Lentini, received rental request for the home for Oct. 28 about a Halloween party for 14-15 year olds. “My daughter wants to throw a little Halloween party for her and her friends and I was wondering if that’s possible,” the AirBnB rental request message read, obtained by the Nantucket Current . “I would be there to monitor the kids and it would just be a fun get together.” After ignoring the “sketchy” request, a police officer called her one night informing her a rager was being thrown at the house. Police told Lentini that the high schoolers broke in through an unlocked window, and threw the party despite the ignored request. The teenagers took extraordinary caution, however: rolling up the white rug, taking all the pictures off the walls, moving furniture aside and more. “As much as I’m upset about this, they did take care of the house,” Lentini told the Nantucket Current. “The most damage was just sticky floors. They even put ‘do not enter’ tape around the TV stand.” The house rents for $5,500 a week in the summer, and was worth an estimated $2.3 million. Photos of the home can be seen on realtor.com , with the last sale in 2012 for $1.3 million. CNN political commentator Alisyn Camerota announced on Sunday she would leave the network. “Big News, Everyone! — today is my last day on CNN,” she wrote on Instagram, sharing that her sign-off would be early Sunday evening. Camerota joined the network in 2014 after a 16-year stint at Fox News, hosting its New Day morning show for years alongside Chris Cuomo before a move to afternoons in 2021. After Warner Bros. Discovery assumed control of CNN, Camerota floated through various positions at the network, including as its 11 p.m. host before an eventual floating role as a political commentator and fill-in anchor. Camerota disclosed in July that her husband of nearly 23 years, Tim Lewis, died after a battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. “I cannot imagine any human being soldiering through a devastating diagnosis with more humor, humility and bravery than Tim,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “He was a phenomenal father, husband, friend and role model and the rest of us are left trying to follow in his footsteps.” Aside from her role at CNN, where she won two Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow award, Camerota is a best-selling author, publishing both a children’s book and a memoir. Her memoir, Combat Love, is being adapted for film and television. Barry Keoghan addressed his abrupt departure from Instagram after he deactivated his account on the platform Friday night. The actor took to X asking fans be “respectful” of him and his loved ones after his name was “dragged across the internet” following news of his breakup with Sabrina Carpenter on Tuesday. Since their split, internet rumors have swirled that Keoghan cheated on the pop star. Some suggested he had a tryst with influencer Breckie Hill, a claim Hill seemingly confirmed when she re-posted a TikTok about their speculated romance. Keoghan, however, made no mention of Hill in his statement. “The messages I have received no person should ever have to read them. Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent, and every other inhumane thing you can imagine,” the actor wrote , accusing trolls of “Knocking on my grannies door. Sitting outside my baby boys house intimidating them.” Keoghan, who has a young son, also pleaded with social media users to think of his child before they post about him. “I need you to remeber (sic) he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older,” he said. Please be respectful x pic.twitter.com/N03eHAIbC8 Oppenheimer star Emma Dumont confirmed to TMZ via a rep that they are now using they/them pronouns as a trans-masculine and non-binary person. “They identify as a trans masculine non-binary person. Their work name is still going to be Emma Dumont, but they will go by Nick with friends and family,” said the rep, adding that Dumont will go by Emma professionally. Dumont is best-known for portraying Oppenheimer’s sister-in-law Jackie Oppenheimer in the 2023 Oscar-winning blockbuster. They have also portrayed Lorna Dane/Polaris in Fox’s 2017 X-men adaptation series The Gifted , also scoring a role in Paul Thomas Anderson‘s Licorice Pizza . Next they are set to star in a film called The New Me , about a young mother struggling to connect with her baby and husband, according to IMDb . The film does not have a release date yet, but Dumont has updated their listed pronouns on Instagram to reflect their life update. “Only call me Nick if ur cool okay?” they wrote on their updated Instagram profile. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. If you’re looking to revamp your at-home fitness lineup ahead of 2025 and don’t have hours to commit to exercising each day, allow us to introduce you to the CAROL Bike . The science-backed and AI-powered fitness bike is engineered to give you maximum results in the shortest time possible—and by the shortest time, we mean as little as five minutes. 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You can try the CAROL Bike for yourself risk-free for 100 days, and the brand offers free shipping (7-10 business days) in the U.S. The family of Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson, 78, said he is in the “early stages” of Alzheimer’s and battling another blood-born disease that is “causing problems with his entire body.” Robertson’s son Jase broke the news Friday on an episode of the Unashamed with the Robertson Family podcast. “Phil’s not doing well. We were trying to figure out the diagnosis, but according to the doctors, they are sure that he has some sort of blood disease causing all kinds of problems,” said Jase, 55. He added, “And he has early stages of Alzheimer’s. So, if you put those things together, he’s just not doing well.” Robertson rose to fame with the popularity of the hit 2012 A&E show, which followed the Louisiana family of seven as they operated their lucrative duck call and decoy business, Duck Commanders. When the show ended in 2017, Robertson became a conservative figurehead with his support of President-elect Donald Trump . According to Jase, Robertson is hoping to return to hosting the podcast. “I’m like, ‘Well Phil, you can barely walk around without crying out in pain, and your memory is not what it once was,’” said Jase. “He’s like, ‘Tell me about it.’” A Friday night NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Sacramento Kings culminated in a tense moment after Spurs’ power forward Zach Collins was ejected from the game and flipped off a referee in anger. Collins was called for a hard foul on Kings’ star Domantas Sabonis and proceeded to protest the referee’s decision. This led to him receiving a technical foul, his second in just two quarters, prompting his removal from the game—but not before Collins gave the ref a piece of his mind by giving him the finger. Collins was then seen being consoled by his coaches before he headed off to the locker room. The Spurs ultimately lost 140-113, but the viral moment rippled across the internet. The Sporting News reported that Collins could receive a fine for the gesture, and social media commentators seemed to agree. “Welp there’s a suspension and a fine,” wrote one commentator on X . Another added, “Enjoy your 1 game suspension.” While other fans questioned the referee’s call after two other players, including Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant , faced similar ejections. “I like how all ejection in 3 games are against the Kings,” a commentator added . That's the third straight game a Sacramento opponent has been ejected. Tonight, it was Zach Collins. Fair to say he wasn't happy afterward. Take a look at his reaction lol pic.twitter.com/vlRymXD9IMCheers and beers for Ruud van Nistelrooy as Leicester reign starts with winGhana On My Mind

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Louisiana civil court judge on Monday halted state agencies' plans to forcibly clear homeless encampments in New Orleans. Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Ethel Julien issued a temporary restraining order blocking state police and two other agencies from evicting homeless people from their encampments in New Orleans or seizing their property without following city laws and due process. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry had called earlier this month for the City of New Orleans to remove a large encampment before Thanksgiving and warned he would intervene if the city did not comply. “If a judge believes that people have a right to be on whatever public space they choose, maybe that judge should have them move into her chambers and courtroom," Landry said after the judge issued the restraining order Monday. Louisiana State Police spokesperson Sgt. Katharine Stegall said the agency’s legal team and the state Attorney General’s Office are reviewing the order. State police have “promptly halted activities” and are “complying with the restrictions” of the order, Stegall said. Landry and New Orleans officials have repeatedly clashed over how to address the issue of homelessness in the city. New Orleans City Councilmember Lesli Harris said Monday that directing more resources towards moving homeless people into stable housing was “infinitely more effective than punitive sweeps” of encampments. “Coordination between the government and service providers on the housing of people is imperative, and continuously moving people only makes it that much harder to house them,” Harris said. But the governor has pushed to clear homeless encampments. In late October, Louisiana State Police, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Department of Transportation and Development converged on a homeless encampment under a highway to remove and relocate dozens of people prior to pop star Taylor Swift’s concerts in the nearby Superdome. Some people who had been away at the time of the clearances returned to the area to find they had lost their personal property including family heirlooms, identification documents and medication, according to testimony in court documents. City officials and advocates for homeless people decried the evictions and said they disrupted ongoing efforts to secure long-term housing for these individuals because they became harder to locate. A judge later granted a temporary restraining order preventing more clearances but declined to extend it beyond early November after lawyers representing the state police indicated in court that removals tied to the Taylor Swift concerts had ceased. But on Friday, homeless people began receiving flyers from state police officers ordering them to leave their encampments within 24 hours, according to a motion for relief filed on behalf of two homeless plaintiffs by the Southern Poverty Law Center and two other legal groups. The planned sweeps preceded the Bayou Classic football game on Saturday between Southern University and Grambling State University at the Superdome. “Your presence is considered a violation,” the flyers stated, according to the motion for relief. However, they were halted by the new temporary restraining order. On Dec. 3, the judge is scheduled to deliberate on whether to issue a preliminary injunction against the three state agencies. “The vulnerable people with disabilities who make up the vast majority of people living in the street deserve to be treated with sensitivity and compassion,” said Joe Heeren-Mueller, director of community engagement for Unity of Greater New Orleans, a homeless outreach organization. There are about 1,450 homeless people in New Orleans and neighboring Jefferson Parish, according to a January survey by the nonprofit Unity of Greater New Orleans. The city has committed to securing housing for these individuals by the end of 2025. Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96

By MICHELLE L. PRICE NEW YORK (AP) — Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Tuesday he was withdrawing his name from consideration, becoming the second person selected by the president-elect to bow out quickly after being nominated for a position requiring Senate confirmation. Sheriff Chronister, the top law enforcement officer in Hillsborough County, Florida, said in a post on X that he was backing away from the opportunity, which he called “the honor of a lifetime.” “Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,” Chronister wrote. He did not elaborate, and Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Chronister follows former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz , Trump’s first pick to serve as attorney general, in withdrawing his name for a post in the administration. Gaetz withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. Trump’s pick of Chronister for the DEA job drew backlash from conservatives, who raised concerns over his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his saying that his office “does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities.” In March 2020, Chronister arrested the pastor of a megachurch who held services with hundreds of people and violated a safer-at-home order in place aimed at limiting the spread of the Covid virus. “Shame on this pastor, their legal staff and the leaders of this staff for forcing us to do our job. That’s not what we wanted to do during a declared state of emergency,” Chronister said at the time. “We are hopeful that this will be a wakeup call.” U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky, was among those airing public complaints, saying Chronister should be “disqualified” for the arrest. Others flagged comments Chronister made in a video about Florida’s immigration laws that he released in 2023 that circulated again online after Trump named him last weekend. Related Articles National Politics | Trump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staff National Politics | President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction National Politics | Democrats stick with Schumer as leader, their strategy for countering Trump is far less certain National Politics | Trump vows to block Japanese steelmaker from buying US Steel, pledges tax incentives and tariffs National Politics | Democrats’ outgoing chair says Trump’s win forces party to reassess how it reaches voters In the video, Chronister praised the “rich diversity” of his community and called it “a place where people from all walks of life come together.” He said it was important to note his office “does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities. We do not target individuals based on their immigration status. That’s the authority of federal agencies.” Trump has made a sweeping crackdown on immigration a central focus of his campaign and his aims for his coming administration. Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida contributed to this report.At the IDA Documentary Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday night, Japanese journalist-turned-director Shiori Itō will receive the Emerging Filmmaker Award, recognizing the incredible reception for her directorial debut Black Box Diaries . It’s the deeply personal story of Itō’s attempt to seek justice and accountability after she became the victim of a sexual assault, a public campaign of many years that ultimately led to changes in Japanese law. The film, which has emerged as a strong Oscar contender, scored IDA Awards nominations this year in three additional categories including Best Documentary Feature and Best Director. Itō joins Deadline’s Doc Talk podcast to share insights on making the film, winner of awards at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen, the San Francisco International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Zurich Film Festival and many others. The director explains why the strictures of Japanese culture and norms of politeness embedded in the Japanese language itself made it difficult for her to confront her accused offender, a prominent journalist with close ties to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Initially, she found little support from police and prosecutors who told her they couldn’t file charges because Japanese rape statutes required evidence of a violent sexual assault (Itō was incapacitated at the time of her alleged attack). DEADLINE RELATED VIDEO: When she decided to go public with her allegations at a press conference, some members of the media and the public attacked her for having a top button undone on her blouse. But she refused to let the backlash deter her. Itō reflects on how the medium of documentary film required her to go beyond the strict parameters of traditional “objective” news reporting (she recalls her impulse early on to seek an interview with her alleged assailant to get “his side of the story,” before realizing the film was truly about claiming her own narrative). That’s on the new episode of Doc Talk, hosted by Oscar winner John Ridley ( 12 Years a Slave , Shirley ) and Matt Carey, Deadline’s documentary editor. The pod, a 2024 Webby Awards honoree , is a production of Deadline and Ridley’s Nō Studios. Listen to the episode above or on major podcast platforms including Spotify , iHeart and Apple .Taylor Swift ‘s weekend out and about in New York City continued Saturday night (Dec. 28). She was photographed with Travis Kelce in the Meatpacking District, where the two were reportedly seen arriving at private supper club Chez Margaux. The foundation of the singer-songwriter’s outfit was a mod Fleur du Mal mini dress ( Long Sleeve Flared Corset Dress , $495). The flattering stretch jacquard mini features a mock neck, corset seaming and boning, and a flare skirt. Swift topped the dress with a long, black coat by Simkhai that combines a classic, tailored silhouette with festive sparkle, thanks to its embellished design ( Gianni Coat , $995). Strappy Louboutin sandals with a substantial heel and carefully chosen jewelry, including a pair of De Beers Arpeggia One Line Earrings, rounded out what looked to be a date-night ensemble. Swift and Kelce’s Saturday night out followed a Friday dinner with the pop star’s longtime friend and producer Jack Antonoff and his wife, Margaret Qualley. Both couples were photographed outside BondST , a NoHo restaurant with Japanese-inspired cuisine. Swift’s post-holiday social outings in New York come after she wrapped her record-breaking Eras Tour, which grossed $2 billion , earlier this month in Vancouver — and after spending some time in Kansas City, Mo., where she visited patients at Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Hospital and attended the Chiefs-Texans game at Arrowhead Stadium. Swift’s December also brought 10 Billboard Music Awards , including Top Artist. She’s the most celebrated artist in the history of the BBMAs, having collected a total of 49 wins so far. See the stylish winter outfit Swift wore on Saturday night below.

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Nicholas Eveleigh/DigitalVision via Getty Images Time Has Been Good to Nathan's Nathan's Famous ( NASDAQ: NATH ) has changed, and it's changed for the better. Long before it entered into an agreement with John Morrell Food Group , a division Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Penn State calling for a White Out in home playoff game vs. SMUBy LARRY NEUMEISTER NEW YORK (AP) — The founder and former CEO of the failed cryptocurrency lending platform Celsius Network could face decades in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to federal fraud charges, admitting that he misled customers about the business. Alexander Mashinsky , 58, of Manhattan, entered the plea in New York federal court to commodities and securities fraud. He admitted illegally manipulating the price of Celsius’s proprietary crypto token while secretly selling his own tokens at inflated prices to pocket about $48 million before Celsius collapsed into bankruptcy in 2022. In court, he admitted that in 2021 he publicly suggested there was regulatory consent for the company’s moves because he knew that customers “would find false comfort” with that. And he said that in 2019, he was selling the crypto tokens even though he told the public that he was not. He said he knew customers would draw false comfort from that too. “I accept full responsibility for my actions,” Mashinsky said of crimes that stretched from 2018 to 2022 as the company pitched itself to customers as a modern-day bank where they could safely deposit crypto assets and earn interest. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a release that Mashinsky “orchestrated one of the biggest frauds in the crypto industry” as his company’s assets purportedly grew to about $25 billion at its peak, making it one of the largest crypto platforms in the world. He said Mashinsky used catchy slogans like “Unbank Yourself” to entice prospective customers with a pledge that their money would be as safe in crypto accounts as money would be in a bank. Meanwhile, prosecutors said, Mashinsky and co-conspirators used customer deposits to fund market purchases of the Celsius token to prop up its value. Machinsky made tens of millions of dollars selling his own CEL tokens at artificially high prices, leaving his customers “holding the bag when the company went bankrupt,” Williams said. An indictment alleged that Mashinsky promoted Celsius through media interviews, his social media accounts and Celsius’ website, along with a weekly “Ask Mashinsky Anything” session broadcast that was posted to Celsius’ website and a YouTube channel. Celsius employees from multiple departments who noticed false and misleading statements in the sessions warned Mashinsky, but they were ignored, the indictment said. A plea agreement Mashinsky made with prosecutors calls for him to be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison and to forfeit over $48 million, which is the amount of money he allegedly made by selling his company’s token. Sentencing was scheduled for April 8.Procter & Gamble Co. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors despite daily gains